c56834_8k.htm -- Converted by SEC Publisher, created by BCL Technologies Inc., for SEC Filing

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549


FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): March 4, 2009

Foot Locker, Inc.
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)

New York 1-10299 13-3513936
(State or other Jurisdiction (Commission File Number) (I.R.S. Employer
of Incorporation)   Identification No.)
 
112 West 34th Street, New York, New York 10120
(Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code)

Registrant's telephone number, including area code: 212-720-3700

Former Name/Address
(Former name or former address, if changed from last report)


Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

[   ] Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
   
[   ] Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
   
[   ] Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
   
[   ] Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))


Item 2.02.     Results of Operation and Financial Condition

     On March 4, 2009, Foot Locker, Inc. (the “Company”) issued a press release announcing its operating results for the fourth quarter and full-year 2008. The press release includes a non-GAAP financial measure of fourth quarter and year-to-date Income from Continuing Operations before non-cash impairment charges, store closing expenses, and an income tax valuation allowance adjustment. The Company is providing this information because it believes that excluding these charges from Income from Continuing Operations provides a useful measure to investors in evaluating the Company’s year-over-year performance. The non-GAAP financial measures are provided in addition to, and not as alternatives for, the Company’s reported results prepared in accordance with GAAP. A reconciliation schedule to GAAP is provided in the release.

     The Company also reported in its press release that, in preparing its consolidated financial statements for its 2008 fiscal year, it discovered errors in its calculation of income tax expense for the 2007 fiscal year. The net income and earnings per share for the 2007 fourth quarter and full-year periods, as presented in this release, were decreased by $9 million from the amounts previously reported to reflect the Company’s preliminary estimate of the effect of those errors on its financial statements. The Company’s Form 10-K to be filed for 2008 will reflect the final income tax expense calculations, which may change the Company’s 2007 and 2008 net income and earnings per share from that presented in this release.

     A copy of the press release is furnished as Exhibit 99.1, which, in its entirety, is incorporated herein by reference.

Item 9.01.       Financial Statements and Exhibits

(c)      Exhibits

  99.1 Press Release of Foot Locker, Inc. dated March 4, 2009 reporting operating results for the fourth quarter and full-year 2008.

SIGNATURE

     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

  FOOT LOCKER, INC.
  (Registrant)
 
Date: March 4, 2009 By: /s/ Robert W. McHugh
    Senior Vice President and
    Chief Financial Officer


c56834_99-1.htm -- Converted by SEC Publisher, created by BCL Technologies Inc., for SEC Filing

EXHIBIT 99.1



N E W S   R E L E A S E

  Contact: Peter D. Brown
    Senior Vice President,
    Chief Information Officer
    and Investor Relations
    Foot Locker, Inc.
(212)720-4254

FOOT LOCKER, INC. REPORTS FOURTH QUARTER; FISCAL YEAR RESULTS

NEW YORK, NY, March 4, 2009 – Foot Locker, Inc. (NYSE: FL), the New York-based specialty athletic retailer, today reported financial results for its fourth quarter and full year ended January 31, 2009. For comparison purposes, the Company’s fourth quarter and full year results are being presented on a GAAP and non-GAAP adjusted basis. A reconciliation of the Company’s reported GAAP results to its non-GAAP adjusted results is included as a supplement to this press release.

Financial Results Presented

In preparing the Consolidated Financial Statements of Foot Locker, Inc. for its 2008 fiscal year, the Company discovered errors in its calculation of income tax expense for its 2007 fiscal year. The net income and earnings per share for the 2007 fourth quarter and full year periods, as presented in this press release, have been decreased by $9 million, or $0.06 per share, from the amounts previously reported, to reflect the Company’s preliminary estimate of the effect of those errors on its financial statements. The Company’s 2008 Form 10-K, which is scheduled to be filed on or before April 1, 2009, will reflect the final income tax expense calculations which may change the Company’s 2007 and 2008 net income and earnings per share from that presented in this press release.

Fourth Quarter Financial Results

For the fourth quarter, the Company reported a net loss of $126 million, or $0.82 per share, this year as compared with net income of $72 million, or $0.46 per share, last year. The Company’s results included non-cash impairment charges, store closing program costs and discontinued operations in both years, and an income tax valuation allowance adjustment last year that, in total, decreased net income in 2008 by $164 million, or $1.06 per share, and increased net income in 2007 by $48 million, or $0.31 per share.

Income from continuing operations, before the non-cash impairment charges, store closing expenses and income tax valuation allowance adjustments, was $38 million, or $0.24 per share, this year, versus $24 million, or $0.15 per share, last year.

Fourth quarter sales were $1,317 million, compared with sales of $1,482 million for the corresponding prior year period. Excluding the effect of foreign currency fluctuations, total sales for the fourth quarter decreased 7.3 percent. Comparable-store sales decreased 7.3 percent.

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“Our fourth quarter sales reflected a very challenging external environment, as consumer spending weakened and mall traffic declined,” stated Matthew D. Serra, Foot Locker, Inc.’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. “Despite the difficult selling climate, we generated a 60 percent increase in our adjusted income from continuing operations per share versus the fourth quarter of last year, due primarily to a significantly increased gross margin rate and lower operating expenses. Additionally, we ended the year with a strong balance sheet and our merchandise inventory is positioned well for 2009.”

Fiscal Year Financial Results

The Company reported a net loss of $81 million, or $0.53 per share, for the full fiscal year in 2008 as compared with net income of $38 million, or $0.24 per share, in 2007. The Company’s results included non-cash impairment charges, store closing program costs and discontinued operations in both years, and an income tax valuation allowance adjustment in last year’s results that, in total, decreased net income in 2008 by $185 million, or $1.20 per share, and increased net income in 2007 by $17 million, or $0.11 per share.

Excluding the non-cash impairment charges, store closing expenses and income tax valuation allowance adjustments, the Company’s income from continuing operations was $104 million, or $0.67 per share, this year, versus $55 million, or $0.35 per share, last year.

Sales for the full year were $5,237 million, compared with sales of $5,437 million for the corresponding prior year period. Excluding the effect of foreign currency fluctuations, total sales for the full year decreased 4.0 percent. Comparable-store sales decreased 3.2 percent.

Financial Position

At year end, the Company’s cash and short-term investments totaled $408 million. Its total cash position, net of debt, of $266 million was $6 million lower than last year reflecting the Company’s $145 million capital expenditure program, $93 million shareholder dividend payments and $103 million cash acquisition of CCS.

Merchandise inventory at year end was $1,117 million, which was $164 million, or 12.8 percent, less than at the end of last year.

Store Base Update

During the year, the Company opened 64 stores and remodeled or relocated 230 stores. The Company also closed 208 stores in 2008, most of which were unproductive. At January 31, 2009, the Company operated 3,641 stores in 21 countries in North America, Europe and Australia. In addition, 17 franchised stores are currently operating in the Middle East and South Korea.

2009 Focus

Given the challenging external environment, the Company has taken several steps to enhance its ability to generate strong positive cash flow in 2009 and help ensure that it maintains a strong financial position. These steps include decreasing its capital expenditure program for 2009 to $100 million and reducing its operating expenses and merchandise inventory purchases to reflect the current sales environment.

The Company’s capital expenditure plan for 2009 provides the funds necessary to open approximately 25 new stores, remodel or relocate up to 150 stores, maintain its ongoing store maintenance program and undertake projects designed to keep the Company’s infrastructure current. The Company may increase its capital expenditure program later in the year if business conditions warrant.

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“We believe that planning our business conservatively is the most appropriate strategy for 2009, given the weak economic conditions that currently exist in the global marketplace,” stated Mr. Serra. “Due to the uncertain impact that the external environment may have on our business, we do not believe that it is appropriate to provide earnings guidance for 2009. We are confident, however, that we are positioned correctly for the current year and determined to meet the challenges that may lie ahead.”

The Company is hosting a live conference call at 9:00 a.m. (ET) on Thursday, March 5, 2009 to discuss these results and provide some comments on the current business environment. This conference call may be accessed live from the Investor Relations section of the Foot Locker, Inc. website at http://www.footlocker-inc.com. The conference call will be available for webcast replay until 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, March 12, 2009.

Disclosure Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws. All statements, other than statements of historical facts, which address activities, events or developments that the Company expects or anticipates will or may occur in the future, including, but not limited to, such things as future capital expenditures, expansion, strategic plans, dividend payments, stock repurchases, growth of the Company’s business and operations, including future cash flows, revenues and earnings, and other such matters are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are based on many assumptions and factors detailed in the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the effects of currency fluctuations, customer demand, fashion trends, competitive market forces, uncertainties related to the effect of competitive products and pricing, customer acceptance of the Company’s merchandise mix and retail locations, the Company’s reliance on a few key vendors for a majority of its merchandise purchases (including a significant portion from one key vendor), unseasonable weather, further deterioration of global financial markets, economic conditions worldwide, any changes in business, political and economic conditions due to the threat of future terrorist activities in the United States or in other parts of the world and related U.S. military action overseas, the ability of the Company to execute its business plans effectively with regard to each of its business units, risks associated with foreign global sourcing, including political instability, changes in import regulations, and disruptions to transportation services and distribution. Any changes in such assumptions or factors could produce significantly different results. The Company undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.

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FOOT LOCKER, INC.
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations
(unaudited)
Periods ended January 31, 2009 and February 2, 2008
(In millions, except per share amounts)

    Fourth       Fourth  
    Quarter       Quarter  
    2008       2007  
               
Sales $ 1,317     $ 1,482  
 
Cost of sales   939       1,105  
Selling, general and administrative expenses   289       311  
Depreciation and amortization   33       34  
Impairment charges & store closing program costs   236       23  
Interest expense, net   1       1  
Other expense (income)   (1 )     (2 )
    1,497       1,472  
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes   (180 )     10  
Income tax benefit   (55 )     (61 )
Income (loss) from continuing operations   (125 )     71  
Discontinued operations, net of tax   (1 )     1  
Net income (loss) $ (126 )   $ 72  
 
Diluted EPS:              
Income (loss) from continuing operations $ (0.82 )   $ 0.45  
Discontinued operations, net of tax         0.01  
Net income (loss) $ (0.82 )   $ 0.46  
 
Weighted-average diluted shares outstanding   154.1       154.9  

    Year-To-Date       Year-To-Date  
    2008       2007  
Sales $ 5,237     $ 5,437  
 
Cost of sales   3,777       4,017  
Selling, general and administrative expenses   1,174       1,176  
Depreciation and amortization   130       166  
Impairment charges & store closing program costs   259       128  
Interest expense, net   5       1  
Other expense (income)   (8 )     (1 )
    5,337       5,487  
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes   (100 )     (50 )
Income tax benefit   (20 )     (86 )
Income (loss) from continuing operations   (80 )     36  
Discontinued operations, net of tax   (1 )     2  
Net income (loss) $ (81 )   $ 38  
 
Diluted EPS:              
Income (loss) from continuing operations $ (0.53 )   $ 0.23  
Discontinued operations, net of tax         0.01  
Net income (loss) $ (0.53 )   $ 0.24  
 
Weighted-average diluted shares outstanding   154.0       155.6  

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Reconciliation of Income from continuing operations from a GAAP-reported basis to a non-GAAP basis
(unaudited)
Periods ended January 31, 2009 and February 2, 2008
(In millions, except per share amounts)

    Fourth       Fourth  
    Quarter       Quarter  
    2008       2007  
Income (loss) from continuing operations:              
GAAP basis $ (125 )   $ 71  
Additions / (Subtractions), after-tax:              
   Impairment charges:              
       Store assets (1)   41       14  
       Goodwill and other intangibles (2)   122        
   Total impairment charges   163       14  
   Store closing program costs (5)         1  
   Income tax valuation allowance adjustment (6)         (62 )
Non-GAAP adjusted basis $ 38     $ 24  
Income (loss) from continuing operations per share:              
GAAP basis $ (0.82 )   $ 0.45  
Additions / (Subtractions), after-tax:              
   Total impairment charges   1.06       0.09  
   Store closing program costs         0.01  
   Income tax valuation allowance adjustment         (0.40 )
Non-GAAP adjusted basis $ 0.24     $ 0.15  

    Year-To-Date       Year-To-Date  
    2008       2007  
 
Income (loss) from continuing operations:              
GAAP basis $ (80 )   $ 36  
Additions / (Subtractions), after-tax:              
   Impairment charges:              
       Store assets (1)   41       78  
       Goodwill and other intangibles (2)   122       -  
       Note receivable –Northern Group (3)   15       -  
       Money Market fund (4)   3       -  
   Total impairment charges   181       78  
   Store closing program costs (5)   3       3  
   Income tax valuation allowance adjustment (6)   -       (62 )
Non-GAAP adjusted basis $ 104     $ 55  
Income (loss) from continuing operations per share:              
GAAP basis $ (0.53 )   $ 0.23  
Additions / (Subtractions), after-tax:              
   Total impairment charges   1.18       0.50  
   Store closing program costs   0.02       0.02  
   Income tax valuation allowance adjustment   -       (0.40 )
Non-GAAP adjusted basis $ 0.67     $ 0.35  

(1)

2008 and 2007 amounts include charges to write down long-lived assets of the Company’s U.S. store operations pursuant to SFAS No. 144.

 
(2)

2008 amount relates primarily to the write down of goodwill associated with the Company’s prior acquisitions of Champs Sports and Footaction.

 
(3)

2008 full year results include the write down of the value of a note receivable from the purchaser of the Company’s former Northern Group Operation in Canada.

 
(4)

2008 full year results include the write down of the value of a short-term money market security pursuant to SFAS No. 115.

 
(5)

2008 and 2007 amounts relate to costs of closing unproductive stores.

 
(6)

2007 amount relates to decreasing a Canadian income tax valuation allowance.

 

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FOOT LOCKER, INC.
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
(unaudited)
(In millions)

    January 31,     February 2,
    2009     2008
Assets          
 
CURRENT ASSETS          
Cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments $ 408   $ 493
Merchandise inventories   1,117     1,281
Other current assets   229     282
    1,754     2,056
 
Property and equipment, net   432     521
Deferred tax assets   349     238
Other assets   323     420
  $ 2,858   $ 3,235
 
Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity          
 
CURRENT LIABILITIES          
Accounts payable $ 184   $ 233
Accrued and other liabilities   232     278
    416     511
 
Long-term debt and obligations under capital leases   142     221
Other liabilities   393     250
SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY   1,907     2,253
  $ 2,858   $ 3,235

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FOOT LOCKER, INC.
Stores and Estimated Square Footage
(unaudited)
(Square footage in thousands)

  January 31,   February 2,   February 3,
  2009   2008   2007
Foot Locker U.S.          
   Number of stores 1,218   1,275   1,368
   Gross square footage 4,953   5,252   5,509
   Selling square footage 2,946   3,134   3,243
 
Footaction          
   Number of stores 335   356   373
   Gross square footage 1,568   1,662   1,744
   Selling square footage 974   1,026   1,076
 
Lady Foot Locker          
   Number of stores 486   526   557
   Gross square footage 1,077   1,177   1,243
   Selling square footage 615   668   700
 
Kids Foot Locker          
   Number of stores 305   321   335
   Gross square footage 734   782   810
   Selling square footage 434   464   483
 
Champs Sports          
   Number of stores 565   576   576
   Gross square footage 3,034   3,130   3,138
   Selling square footage 2,032   2,125   2,143
 
Foot Locker International          
   Number of stores 732   731   733
   Gross square footage 2,135   2,117   2,109
   Selling square footage 1,091   1,087   1,095
 
Total Stores Operated          
   Number of stores 3,641   3,785   3,942
   Gross square footage 13,501   14,120   14,553
   Selling square footage 8,092   8,504   8,740
 
Total Franchised Stores          
   Number of stores 17   10   3
   Gross square footage 62   33   9
   Selling square footage 42   22   6

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